Rap-Up.com || Frank Ocean Talks Early Album Release, Making of ‘channel ORANGE’

Frank Ocean has shied away from interviews, but he called into Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1 this week to discuss all things channel ORANGE. While he didn’t address his coming out letter, the R&B sensation did speak about the project’s early release, renting a house in Beverly Hills to record, playing the album for some of his heroes, and his tour, which kicks off tonight in Seattle.

On releasing his album early: “It was actually the plan all along. I kinda wanted to mirror what Jay and Kanye did with Watch the Throne, preventing the leak by staggering digital and physical dates. I wanted all the promotional elements to follow the album, with the videos and the tour, and do everything after and let the music speak for itself.”

On his goal with this album: “I wanted to do things that I hadn’t done before structurally with songs. I wanted to go different places sonically that I haven’t gone before.”

On his recording sessions: Instead of paying $1,600/day to rent a studio, Ocean rented a mansion in Beverly Hills, but only ended up making three songs there—”Lost,” “Pyramids,” and “Analog 2″ featuring Tyler, the Creator. “I had the housekeeper daily. It was great, it was awesome,” laughed Frank.

On why he only collaborated with a few people: “It was important for me to do the project with a limited amount of people and I got the opportunity, which I value so greatly, to sit with some of my creative heroes and play them the songs in different stages of completion and get input and get feedback. I tried to make something that was true to what I heard in my head and true to what I thought the future should be for me music-wise.”

On touring: “I want to give the best show possible when I can and put myself in the position to just do my best. So if that means a lesser volume of appearances, then so be it. I’m in it for as long as I’m allowed to be. It’s not about let’s do a million things right now. It’s about let’s just do our best to do the best things right now.”

[Frank Ocean News]

Posted in Frank Ocean | Permalink

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

23 Comments

chase
July 13th, 2012 at 6:34 am
he is a legend to me

[Reply]
Pow Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 9:24 am
@chase, stfu

[Reply]
Tru Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 10:18 am
@Pow, Damn someones mad. He isnt a legend but he damn sure has the ability to be one

[Reply]
Morgan Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
@Pow, lol..u mad?

[Reply]
Basze Lineaj Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
@Pow, Stay Mad

[Reply]
Meme
July 13th, 2012 at 6:38 am
Legend? Seriously now let’s not get carried away. But I am happy the album is doin so well with literally no promotion, meanwhile other big time artist (as Chris brown wad say) haves multiple tv performance, a gazillion singles and videos and still under perform. Small time niggas? Lol funny how the table turns

[Reply]
Miles
July 13th, 2012 at 6:43 am
I hope he makes vids for:
Super Rich Kids with Earl
Crack Rock
Sweet Life
and Golden Girl With Tyler

[Reply]
Miszi Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:59 am
@Miles, Nice choices there, I would choose Lost over Golden Girl though.

[Reply]
Brass_knucklez
July 13th, 2012 at 6:46 am
Great music speaks for itself. This dude is a creative genius.

[Reply]
Brass_knucklez
July 13th, 2012 at 6:49 am
Can’t wait to see him perform in ATL on te 22nd.

[Reply]
_MEEET Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 7:00 am
@Brass_knucklez, the shows that concert are sold out and i want to go so bad!!!

[Reply]
DRB Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 9:49 am
@_MEEET, stub hub. You’ll pay a hundred bucks but if it’s worth it, you may find a few tickets there

[Reply]
Brass_knucklez Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@DRB, Yeah I checked every where. The ATL, DC, and PA shows are sold out. I’m blown ! If anyone is selling their ticket let me know. I need 2. I’m not paying 200 bucks tho. It’s not that deep.lol

[Reply]
Brass_knucklez Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
@Brass_knucklez, Or NY

[Reply]
Say word Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@_MEEET, I got my tickets early. You better rob somebody

[Reply]
SB
July 13th, 2012 at 7:00 am
great album. “Lost” might be my song of the year so far.

[Reply]
IV. Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@SB, Lost is the dopest cut on his album. I listen to that song first and then the rest of the album falls into place for me.

[Reply]
726J Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 7:24 am
@SB, mannnnnnnnn! i totally agree! lost is my shit! u cant tell me shit when that comes on (i get my air guitar & 80s body roll on!)

[Reply]
Morgan
July 13th, 2012 at 9:19 am
Heard this yesterday. He’s dope! A true and rare talent.

[Reply]
TheDreamer
July 13th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
The album is no doubt album of the year.

[Reply]
Basze Lineaj
July 13th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
great interview

[Reply]
débouchage canalisation
July 14th, 2012 at 7:08 am
Unquestionably imagine that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the internet the easiest factor to bear in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed at the same time as other people think about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

[Reply]
We took over this company...
July 14th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your site in internet explorer, could check this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a large part of people will leave out your great writing because of this problem.

[Reply]